The Rat and the Elephant

The Rat and the Elephant is a fable by Jean de La Fontaine that underlines the moral that size does not define importance. The story narrates an encounter between a rat and an elephant, where the elephant brags about his size and stature while demeaning the rat. However, the roles are reversed when the rat helps the elephant escape a trap, implying that everyone has their own strengths regardless of size or appearance.

• Fable

								
In France there's many a man of small degree
    Fond of asserting his own mightiness:
A "nobody" turns "somebody." We see
    In this the nation's natural flightiness.
In Spain men are not vain; their high-flown schools
Have made them proud, yet have not made them fools.

A tiny Rat saw a huge Elephant
    Travelling slowly with his equipage;
'Mongst beasts a sultan, knowing not a want.
    His suite comprised within a monstrous cage

His household gods, his favourite dog and cat,
His parroquet, his monkey, and all that.

The Rat, astonished to see people stare
    At so much bulk and state, which took up all
The space where he of right should have his share,
    Upon the citizens began to call:
"Fools! know you not that smallest rats are equal
To biggest elephants?" (Alas! the sequel.)

"Is it his monstrous bulk you're staring at?
    It can but frighten little girls and boys;
Why, I can do the same. You see, a Rat
    Is scarce less than an Elephant." A noise!
The Cat sprang from her cage; and, with one pant,
The Rat found he was not an Elephant.
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